You are not called to be a 'wannabe'! A wannabe is a person who tries to be like someone else or to fit in with a particular group of people. No, you are not called to be someone else or do what someone else has already done.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. All too often, in our sincere desire to discover and fulfill our purpose, we try to work it out in our human knowledge and experiences. We feel called to preach and spread the gospel so we put all our efforts into starting a ministry or church, get supporters, find a building, buy an RV, take offerings, and copy the "famous" ministers. We want to be the next Jakes, Munroe, Meyer, Osteen, Bynum, White or Prince. Without careful focus on our purpose, WE may become the focus and marketing and selling may overtake ministry. Recently, I saw a pastor who probably has less than 150 members with a product table and a life sized poster of himself propped up against the table! Misplaced priorities and shifting focus.
God didn't call you to be anyone else. Your purpose is as unique as your DNA and your fingerprints. Hear the words God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah. The Lord said to me, “I knew you before you were formed within your mother’s womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.”
“O Lord God,” I said, “I can’t do that! I’m far too young! I’m only a youth!”
“Don’t say that,” He replied, “for you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.”
Seek God for your purpose. Pray, listen and read God's Word. Know yourself. What draws you? What makes you cry? What wrongs do you see that you want to make right? What are your gifts and talents? All this is part of stepping into your purpose.
Once you know your purpose, write your vision of that purpose and how you see yourself walking it out. This becomes the standard you keep before you to measure everything that comes your way. Everything you do, every decision you make, should be held up to the measuring stick of your vision. It is so easy to get caught up in doing good, but not fulfilling your destiny.
My husband and I have gone through this several times. Several times we have been asked to do something or help in some ministry or do something that isn't in line with our purpose. What we found was, even though it was a good Kingdom thing, if it wasn't in line with our specific purpose, it didn't go well for us. You can feel when something doesn't "click" or flourish. It was a good thing, but was not for us to do. When you are in His purpose for your life, you can feel it. If everything you do feels as if you are doing it in your own strength and you are always in lack, it may be time to re-evaluate what your focus is. Seek God.
We humans do not have infinite time or energy. We must stay focused and work smart--under the guidance of the Holy Spirit! Think of the Holy Spirit as your GPS. When that GPS is silent, you stay straight on the current road. Don't turn to the left or the right. The GPS system only speaks when you get off track or when it is time to change directions. The same is true with the Holy Spirit. If you aren't hearing anything, stay on the path you are on. But remember, the GPS is also silent if you turn it off. The same is true with the Holy Spirit. Your repeated sin will "turn off" the voice of the Holy Spirit within you. Only you will know which is true for you.
Word--Most of us aren't called to be famous. That's man's image. That's pride. You can fulfill God's purpose for your life without a huge following, money, fame, and a book deal. Some of the greatest men and women of God will never be recognized by the world. I would far rather be in that number than to be known by man, wouldn't you?
“Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. At the Judgment many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ But I will reply, ‘You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’
Ephesians 2:10 Jeremiah 1:4-8 TLB Matthew 7:21-23 TLB
~~Arlene Luchie
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. All too often, in our sincere desire to discover and fulfill our purpose, we try to work it out in our human knowledge and experiences. We feel called to preach and spread the gospel so we put all our efforts into starting a ministry or church, get supporters, find a building, buy an RV, take offerings, and copy the "famous" ministers. We want to be the next Jakes, Munroe, Meyer, Osteen, Bynum, White or Prince. Without careful focus on our purpose, WE may become the focus and marketing and selling may overtake ministry. Recently, I saw a pastor who probably has less than 150 members with a product table and a life sized poster of himself propped up against the table! Misplaced priorities and shifting focus.
God didn't call you to be anyone else. Your purpose is as unique as your DNA and your fingerprints. Hear the words God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah. The Lord said to me, “I knew you before you were formed within your mother’s womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.”
“O Lord God,” I said, “I can’t do that! I’m far too young! I’m only a youth!”
“Don’t say that,” He replied, “for you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.”
Seek God for your purpose. Pray, listen and read God's Word. Know yourself. What draws you? What makes you cry? What wrongs do you see that you want to make right? What are your gifts and talents? All this is part of stepping into your purpose.
Once you know your purpose, write your vision of that purpose and how you see yourself walking it out. This becomes the standard you keep before you to measure everything that comes your way. Everything you do, every decision you make, should be held up to the measuring stick of your vision. It is so easy to get caught up in doing good, but not fulfilling your destiny.
My husband and I have gone through this several times. Several times we have been asked to do something or help in some ministry or do something that isn't in line with our purpose. What we found was, even though it was a good Kingdom thing, if it wasn't in line with our specific purpose, it didn't go well for us. You can feel when something doesn't "click" or flourish. It was a good thing, but was not for us to do. When you are in His purpose for your life, you can feel it. If everything you do feels as if you are doing it in your own strength and you are always in lack, it may be time to re-evaluate what your focus is. Seek God.
We humans do not have infinite time or energy. We must stay focused and work smart--under the guidance of the Holy Spirit! Think of the Holy Spirit as your GPS. When that GPS is silent, you stay straight on the current road. Don't turn to the left or the right. The GPS system only speaks when you get off track or when it is time to change directions. The same is true with the Holy Spirit. If you aren't hearing anything, stay on the path you are on. But remember, the GPS is also silent if you turn it off. The same is true with the Holy Spirit. Your repeated sin will "turn off" the voice of the Holy Spirit within you. Only you will know which is true for you.
Word--Most of us aren't called to be famous. That's man's image. That's pride. You can fulfill God's purpose for your life without a huge following, money, fame, and a book deal. Some of the greatest men and women of God will never be recognized by the world. I would far rather be in that number than to be known by man, wouldn't you?
“Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. At the Judgment many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ But I will reply, ‘You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’
Ephesians 2:10 Jeremiah 1:4-8 TLB Matthew 7:21-23 TLB
~~Arlene Luchie
RSS Feed
